How SOC 2 Compliance Integrates into Shared Contacts for Gmail and Its Benefits for Customers

Introduction

Nowadays, data security and operational integrity are regarded with utmost importance. As more transactions become digital, it is imperative that data protection and system controls are in place to ensure the integrity of the end user’s digital identity.

Hence, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants established SOC 2 Compliance guidelines. This article discusses further what SOC 2 compliance means, as well as its benefits for the customers.

What is SOC 2 Compliance?

Service Organization Control Type 2 (SOC 2) Compliance is a voluntary action to allow third party auditors to evaluate whether your establishment’s service commitments and system requirements would be achieved based on the applicable Trust Services Criteria (TSC). 

The TSC are as follows:

  • Security
  • Availability
  • Confidentiality
  • Processing integrity
  • Privacy

 

How is SOC 2 Compliance built in Shared Contacts for Gmail?

Security

Point of Control 

SOC 2 auditors checked and confirmed the integrity of security implemented for Shared Contacts for Gmail’s hardware, software, database, network, and personnel.

Encryption 

The audit verified the security of the customers’ data encryption at rest and in transit. Processes are in place to protect encryption keys during generation, storage, use, and destruction.

Availability

Uptime and Reliability

The auditors substantiated that the company’s application uptime is continuously monitored for availability. This ensures that the customers enjoy our services continuously. In the event of interruptions or other issues, they can be addressed immediately.

Disaster Recovery

The SOC 2 compliance ensures that our organization develops and maintains a disaster recovery plan to recover from any unexpected events quickly.

Processing integrity

Software management

It is verified that we use a minimal number of third-party tools and every installation of a new software has undergone a strict security clearance, including filtering trojans or spyware. 

Operational Resilience

The audit assesses our organization’s resilience to operational disruptions by identifying potential weaknesses in the process. It also promotes the adoption of best practices and process improvements.

Confidentiality

Support Access

SOC 2 compliance affirms that our development and support teams can impersonate users and access their contacts only upon the customer’s request solely for troubleshooting and support purposes.

Company Data Protection

Data assets containing customer and confidential information are identified and protected. The security audit also ensured that data was properly disposed of at the end of the contract agreement. 

Privacy

Consumer Data Confidentiality

The auditors affirm that our commercially reasonable measures comply with the TSC. It was also observed that we follow generally accepted standards to protect the information you provide us, both during transmission and once we receive it.

User Consent

The SOC 2 Compliance confirms that your data is never used for advertising or transferred to other apps without your explicit consent.

Shared Contacts for Gmail values your contact data security and privacy.

 

What are the benefits of SOC 2 Compliance for the customers?

SOC 2 compliance verified that Shared Contacts for Gmail’s data handling and process controls adhere to strict information security policies and procedures. This is valuable for our customers in the following ways:

Privacy Assurance

SOC 2 provides the external validation that Shared Contacts for Gmail clients have their data processed in strict accordance with the company’s privacy policy. 

Risk Management

SOC 2 compliance requires adequate control over data. Passing the audit means a reliable risk mitigation and data recovery system is in place. 

Additionally, the possible data breach points or security incidents were minimized due to the comprehensive review of the internal processes. 

Data Integrity

The auditors affirm that the accuracy, completeness, and quality of data is maintained over time. Contacts are retrieved only for synchronization purposes and are immediately hashed.  

Service Dependability

The SOC 2 attestation provides reasonable assurance that our organization’s service commitments and system requirements were achieved. It helps assure clients that our service is highly reliable.

Regulatory Adherence

Shared Contacts for Gmail clients who are SOC 2 compliant or planning to undergo the audit can declare to their auditors that their contact management vendor is already SOC 2 attested.

 

Takeaway

Shared Contacts for Gmail underwent SOC 2 compliance to guarantee the security of our customers’ data. This process involved implementing stringent controls and practices across several key areas to ensure the highest levels of data protection and operational integrity.

As a contact management application, we are pleased to present that our service meets the security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy standards of an established authority on cybersecurity like AICPA.

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